Manager's bid to take over repossessed arts venue

The manager of an arts venue which was repossessed from the charity that runs Leicester Comedy Festival has launched a bid to take over the site.

Anthony Lamb, who was manager of The Big Difference in High Street, Leicester, has crowdfunded more than £16,000 to take over the space.

The venue, which opened in 2020, was forced to close in July amid reports that its parent business, the Big Difference Company, was going through financial difficulties.

Lamb said he had been "blown away" by the support he has received from people in Leicester.

Staff from the venue told the BBC they had arrived at the venue earlier this month to find a repossession notice on the door.

The notice read: "Due to non-payment of rent and insurance under the terms and conditions of the lease... we have entered these premises by order of the landlord and have taken possession of the premises."

In May, its non-profit parent company said that cashflow problems were to blame for hundreds of performers still being owed money for their appearances at the Leicester Comedy Festival.

The Big Difference Company has been contacted for comment.

Lamb said he did not expect his crowdfund, which raised more than £14,000 in 24 hours, to be such a success.

"I've been absolutely blown away by the support," he said.

"I was always quietly confident that the crowdfunder would do well, but not this well, this quickly.

"It's been amazing to see the city come together like this and show people really do care about art in the city and care about spaces like this.

"It's been lovely to see."

Lamb said the money will allow him to not only set up the new arts venue, but also carry out improvement works at the site.

Lamb said he is already in contact with the property's owners about a new deal, adding he is "confident" the new venue - which will be called the Forum Porcorum - will open by the end of the year.

"Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm back in there," he said.

"The name came around because I was racking my brains thinking what to call this palace.

"I looked at the history of Leicester High Street and in medieval times it was the location of a pig market and Forum Porcorum roughly means pig market in Latin."

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.